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I was in such a funk this morning that I wasn't even going to turn on the laptop. I know!

But of course I did. And I found these and that put a smile on my face, so I thought it was only fair to share just in case you're in a mood too. Cat haters can look away now and come back tomorrow...it's ok...I understand :)

That lot up there were from here...and this lot down below are from here (the first born's tumblr Chasing Satellites...cool name huh?)...crazy cat people!

Ok, thanks...I feel better now. So I suppose I'd better include one of the vampire slayer...can't have her feeling left out....still with her attractive plastic tag :)

There was a dinner party here on Saturday night...boy they're a lot of work aren't they! 'Twas fun though :)

This is the dining part of my living room...the tiniest kitchen in the southern hemisphere is where I took this photo from...it drives me batty but I have a cunning plan for some extra storage...once I find a carpenter. I've edited out all the ugly bits...the wall colour, the brown woodwork, the dodgy, boxy fireplace...that will all be gone come 17 December...can't wait!

And because cooking for a dinner party takes so much time and effort I thought I'd get some bloggy mileage out of it! The makings of the marinade for the baked lemon grass and chilli chicken (I used chicken thigh fillets with the skin on...they were delicious). Do you grate your garlic...I never crush...I'm a bit like Nigella that way...but only in that way. More's the pity.

I used recipes from my Annabel Langbein cookbook [The Free Range Cook] that I won at Amanda's blog for the mains and dessert (thank you Amanda...I love this book to bits). And look, my blueberry cake is just like the one in the book!! I don't think Annabel is quite as messy as me though.

The lovely teatowel is from Thea and Sami...Richard made the entree...delicious deep fried prawn wonton dumplings with dipping sauce...but because he made them at his place I have no photos...but they looked a bit like this...

There was no way I was going to take photos once people were at my house...they already think my blogging is a bit odd :)These little potato stacks are from a copy of MindFood...a fabulous NZ magazine...such clever people those kiwis. Mine didn't look quite as good as the photo, but they were very tasty.

The table setting was very simple...bamboo runner and table mats..but the good china and crystal got a run. Actually I use those glasses all the time. The entrée plates are very old Royal Albert, given to me by my friend Chris. Loving my new dining chairs too...and they passed their first dinner party test with flying colours!

The flowers were also very simple...mostly from the garden and some leftovers from work! Small vases, a soy sauce bottle and a water bottle...I would never have done this before blogging began...but I'll certainly be doing it again!

So there you go...it could only have been nicer if you'd been there :)

I hope the week ahead is good to you...I'm going to enjoy looking at the flowers on my dining table...because I sure won't be going outside much...rain forecast all week...sigh.

If you've read the 'about me' blurb on this blog you'll have seen that I'm part owner and co-founder of a company...a company we're all pretty pleased with. But I've made a conscious decision not to write about my paid work. This blog, while very much a part of me, as is my work of course...is separate to that bit of my life...mostly. But today I'm making an exception.

I've just returned from Sydney, where last night I was extremely proud to represent my company as the sponsor for the Marist Youth Care annual art prize that we've been supporting for a few years now.

We donated a laptop and cash prizes for the kids...not much in the big scheme of things really...not from this very privileged position where I sit. But it meant a lot to MYC and the kid who won the laptop was over the moon. And it got me thinking about how privileged most of us are in comparison.

It was very different art from the slick graphic design of the night before at Ben's graduation...not that I am for one minute belittling that, because it was truly fabulous...but the juxtaposition of the two events hit me full on. Last night's exhibition was raw, emotional, sometimes downright painful as the kids (and some adults) poured out their lives and feelings on canvas, in photographic images, through sculpture and words.

And these are tough lives we're talking about. Really tough. Little, if nothing in the way of privilege.

So, yet again, in that odd way of the more you have the more you get, I felt that the privilege last night was all mine...the privilege of meeting 'at risk' kids who are trying, giving it a go, often struggling...but hopefully, getting there...with the help of some truly impressive staff and volunteers. The privilege of being part of helping in a small way. The privilege of representing my company.

this is the winning art work

And I also have to take my hat off to the Wentworth Gallery at 17 Bligh Street in the centre of Sydney (one of three galleries)...because they gave over half of their gallery space for nothing for the period of the exhibition. Too cool.

And the last thing I want to do is get all preachy on you...but the next time I'm worried about life changing decisions like what type of bedlinen to buy, or which bottle of wine I might try, or what book I might choose...I'll try and think back to last night and remember how blessed I am. And how blessed my kids are (although they might not always think so!) And about the young winner who has spent too many years doing it tough, who was so chuffed to win and how all he really wanted to do was tell his gran. And that, he most certainly did.

If you wanted to help this great not-for-profit organisation you can find ways of doing that here.

And on a completely different note, yesterday while I was in Sydney and out of touch with the bloggy world, Simone of Honey and Fizz posted my answers to 12 questions...pop on over and say hi, and get to know a bit more about me if you're so inclined. My answers aren't earth shattering by any means, but it was fun, so thank you Simone :)

Happy weekend to you all...

first two images courtesy MYC; others taken by my camera...operated by me or Jan...thanks Jan!

The 22 year old's graduating class exhibition was on last night. Two years of hard slog, and Ben is about to have an Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design in his creative hands. I'm very, very proud of him. And he's proud of him too...which is even better :)

If you facebook with me you'll have seen this silhouette already. I'm thinking of getting it blown up and framed...it will look fabulous in my newly painted living room...Tiny's team starts 13 December bloggy peeps...bit excited about that!

But I digress. I really wanted to show you some more of Ben's (school) work...I think it's pretty spesh...motherly bias aside...

It hasn't been easy; he's done it while working, supporting himself...and for the last 7 months living with me...not that I'm saying living with me isn't easy! Nope...easy street more like it!

I think this made up paint chart booklet thing is really great...

So there you go! Did I mention that I was proud!

So, well done Ben...you are a wonderful human being and I'm so happy for you and your terrific achievement...and for keeping going even when it got a bit tough. Now you just need to get a job and pay me some rent! :)Anyone need a graphic designer??